For those that have an air source heat pump, it’s important that it’s in good working condition, else you could end up with problems on your hands. Though, there are going to be times where you feel that something isn’t quite right, but you’re not ready to call in the professionals just yet.
That’s understandable, but you need to know realistically what you are and are not able to do before you start tinkering with the system.
This article is going to focus on the various elements of your air source heat pump that you can work on maintaining yourself, and the areas that you absolutely cannot also. If you’d like to learn more about what these areas are so that you can keep your air source heat pump in good condition, continue reading.
What You Can Do
Check The Vents
One of the most important parts of an air source heat pump are the vents. It’s important that they are not obstructed at any given time, and this is a task that you can handle yourself.
All you need to do is check that all of the radiators and vents are unobstructed, and if anything is in the way, you need to move them.
Obstructed vents are one of the most common causes for issues with these systems, so it’s a good place to start your checks.
Listen For Unusual Sounds
Another thing that you can do is listen closely to the system when it’s on, checking to see if you can hear any unusual sounds or vibrations. People seem to underestimate the power of listening carefully, because often if there is an issue with the compressor or the fan, this can be identified initially with your ears.
If you notice that you can hear something that you don’t normally hear, or something out of place, we do recommend that you call an air source heat pump servicing company to come and take a look, just to be on the safe side.
Check And Clean The Filters
This is a big job, but one that needs to be done fairly regularly to ensure the operations of the air source heat pump. You should be checking and cleaning the filters every 1-3 months, never leaving it longer than three months.
These indoor air filters are a crucial part of the process, so you need to check them thoroughly, determining whether they need to be cleaned, or whether they need to be replaced entirely.
If you don’t know what you’re looking at here, you can do a quick search online that will show you what to do. Or, you can watch when the heat pump servicing is being done, asking questions to the professional and they can talk you through it for next time.
Clear Debris And Clean Exterior
In order to get proper airflow for the system, it’s important that you are removing any debris that is building up around the outdoor unit. You want around 5ft of clear space, which means things like leaves, snow, plants, and more should all be moved away asap.
While we’re on the topic of the outdoor unit, you can also gently clean the coils and the fins of the unit. Ensure you use a soft brush and don’t push too hard though as you do not want to bend them.
What You Can’t Do
Any Electrical Work
This is the same rule for any electrics – you should not be touching them or meddling with them if you do not know what you are doing. If you’re not a qualified technician and it involves the electrics of the unit, you need to leave it and wait for someone to come out to you.
All of the electricals will be checked during your air source heat pump servicing appointment, but if you have any issues before then get in touch with a reputable company to help.
Annual Service Check
Every year you need to have an annual service check to ensure that your unit is compliant, and in working order. This cannot be done by anyone other than a qualified professional in heat pump servicing, and you’re going to need proof that this has been completed. Depending on how old your unit is, this is also necessary to ensure that your warranty remains valid.
Any Major Repairs Needed
While minor issues are able to be fixed by you, any major issues should be left to the professionals. This means anything that is causing the system to not work the way that it should, even after you tried all of the things we listed above.
If this happens, it indicates that there is a more in-depth issue that needs to be handled by a qualified air source heat pump engineer.
Sealed Areas
Within the system there are going to be sealed components – and trust us when we say that these are sealed for a reason. As such, you should never open any of them on your own, and should instead wait for a professional to be able to come and take a look.
We understand that the temptation to open them, take a look and see if you can locate the issue might be high, but we can assure you that if you’re not trained in this area, you likely won’t know what you’re looking at and could end up making the problem worse.
Get In Touch With A Professional
So, if you’ve tried all of the maintenance tasks and elements that you can do for yourself, but something isn’t right with your air source heat pump, you need to find a trusted professional asap. If you’re ever in doubt about something, it’s always best to leave it to the experts.
Get in touch with us today and let us handle all of your air source heat pump servicing needs, ensuring that you are able to maintain operational efficiency for as long as possible.
